A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…

3. Oil cheereth the hearts and countenances of men, so the Spirit is an oil ⟨p. 162⟩of gladness, Isa. 61.3. so that they are anointed therewith, are no more afraid of Hell, or Satan, but walk on cheerfully before God; so the graces of Gods Spirit, Wisdom makes the face to shine, Eccles. 8.1. takes away Pride, rough looks, wanton looks, and so smooths and makes the countenance amiable; such a soul is anointed with the oil of gladness.

3. Oyl cheareth the hearts and countenances of men, so the Spirit is an oyl ⟨p. 162⟩of gladnesse, Isa. 61.3. so that they are annoynted therewith, are no more afraid of Hell, or Sathan, but walk on cheerfully before God; so the graces of Gods Spirit, Wisdom makes the face to shine, Eccles. 8.1. takes away Pride, rough looks, wanton looks, and so smoothes and makes the countenance amiable; such a soul is annoynted with the oyl of gladnesse.

4. There was an use of Oil, to consecrate all Vessels, no Consecration but Oil was a part of it, Exod. 33.23. whether to consecrate Vessels or Officers; this use of oil is in the Spirit of God; from him it is that Gods Children are no longer for themselves, or the world, but consecrated to God, and dedicated to him, as Kings, Priests, and Prophets, Act. 2.17. Rev. 1.6. so that that Ointment which was poured on Christ above measure, descends to every Member of his Church, healing their Wounds, softening and suppling their souls, cheering their hearts and countenances, and consecrating them to be Kings, Priests, and Prophets to God, and therefore as Christ was called [Greek or Hebrew] so every Member of Christ is called [Greek or Hebrew], Acts 11.26. that is, one anointed, so that every child of God hath in some measure a Kingly, Priestly, and Prophetical Office, 1 Samuel 8.28. Kings were chosen to be Judges, and to fight the Lords Battles; why so in some measure every Christian hath a power to judge, 1 Cor. 2.15. and fight the Lords Battles; such an Unction he hath, that whatsoever case he is called to, he hath a spirit of judging and discerning what is good, what bad, so that he stands not at any mans judgement; if it be of matters concerning Salvation, God hath given him a regal spirit; so Secondly, he is able to fight the Lords Battles, not against flesh and blood, for they are but typical and shadowy battles, but we fight against Principalities and Powers, Ephes. 6.12. to 18. and so their wars are far above Princes, Rev. 12.1. these are great Battles with Satan, and the World, and our own corruptions, 1 Pet. 2.11. so we should all fight the good fight, 2 Tim. 4.8.

4. There was an use of Oyl, to consecrate all Vessels, no Consecration but Oyl was a part of it, Exod. 33.23. whether to consecrate Vessels or Officers; this use of oyl is in the Spirit of God; from him it is that Gods Children are no longer for themselves, or the world, but consecrated to God, and dedicated to him, as Kings, Priests, and Prophets, Act. 2.17. Rev. 1.6. so that that Oyntment which was poured on Christ above measure, descends to every Member of his Church, healing their Wounds, softning and suppleing their souls, chearing their hearts and countenances, and consecrating them to bee Kings, Priests, and Prophets to God, and therefore as Christ was called 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 so every Member of Christ is called 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Acts 11.26. that is, one annoynted, so that every childe of God hath in some measure a Kingly, Priestly, and Propheticall Office, 1 Samuell 8.28. Kings were chosen to bee Judges, and to fight the Lords Battels; why so in some measure every Christian hath a power to judge, 1 Cor. 2.15. and fight the Lords Battels; such an Unction he hath, that whatsoever case he is cald to, he hath a spirit of judging and discerning what is good, what bad, so that he stands not at any mans judgement; if it be of matters concerning Salvation, God hath given him a regal spirit; so Secondly, he is able to fight the Lords Battels, not against flesh and bloud, for they are but typicall and shadowy battels, but we fight against Principalities and Powers, Ephes. 6.12. to 18. and so their wars are farre above Princes, Rev. 12.1. these are great Battels with Sathan, and the World, and our own corruptions, 1 Pet. 2.11. so we should all fight the good fight, 2 Tim. 4.8.

2 As a Priest, he performs the Priestly Office, which stood partly in praying, partly in teaching, partly in sacrificing; so God hath given to every Christian a Spirit of Prayer, an Teaching. Rom. 8.15. Jer. 31, 32, 33. so also they offer up to God a sacrifice of a broken heart, Psal. 51.17. a sacrifice of praise, a sacrifice of righteousness, Psal. 4.5, 6. Rom. 12.1, 2. nay, sometimes the Lord gives them to sacrifice whole Towns and Cities unto God, as Paul, and Peter, offered three thousand together, he takes them from sin, and brings them to God, so that they bring in heaps upon heaps to God, so that they are not poor Kings and Priests, but truly if Christians knew their worth, they would not be so discouraged and cast down in respect of the World.

2 As a Priest, he performs the Priestly Office, which stood partly in praying, partly in teaching, partly in sacrifycing; so God hath given to every Christian a Spirit of Prayer, an Teaching. Rom. 8.15. Jer. 31, 32, 33. so also they offer up to God a sacrifice of a broken heart, Psal. 51.17. a sacrifice of praise, a sacrifice of righteousness, Psal. 4.5, 6. Rom. 12.1, 2. nay, sometimes the Lord gives them to sacrifice whole Towns and Cities unto God, as Paul, and Peter, offered three thousand together, he takes them from sin, and brings them to God, so that they bring in heaps upon heaps to God, so that they are not poor Kings and Priests, but truly if Christians knew their worth, they would not be so discouraged and cast down in respect of the World.

Holiness is that whereby we give God his own due, Holiness is the fulfilling of the first Table, righteousness of the Second; now Christ is called the Holy one, because he was set apart, not only from all unclean but common uses, and dedicated to the Lord.

Holinesse is that whereby we give God his own due, Holinesse is the fulfilling of the first Table, righteousnesse of the Second; now Christ is called the Holy one, because he was set apart, not only from all unclean but common uses, and dedicated to the Lord.

Two things make a thing holy, a setting apart from unclean and common uses, and dedicating to Spiritual and Holy uses, so the Sabbath and the Sacraments are said to be Holy: now Christ was properly called, the Holy one, for no Ordinance so separate from community, as Christ, nor so wholly dedicate to God as Christ was, therefore we see how these little Babes should help themselves against Antichrist; as there is an Antichrist, so there is a Christ, as they have a spirit of seducing, so he is an Unction, a Box of Ointment which is able to confirm you, and help you against all these.

Two things make a thing holy, a setting apart from unclean and common uses, and dedicating to Spiritual and Holy uses, so the Sabbath and the Sacraments are said to be Holy: now Christ was properly called, the Holy one, for no Ordinance so separate from community, as Christ, nor so wholly dedicate to God as Christ was, therefore we see how these little Babes should help themselves against Antichrist; as there is an Antichrist, so there is a Christ, as they have a spirit of seducing, so he is an Unction, a Box of Oyntment which is able to confirm you, and help you against all these.

Use 1 Of trial to every Christian, whether he be a true Christian or no, for he is a Jew that that is one outwardly, Rom. 2.27.28. we would think our selves deeply wronged if any should deny us to be Christians; why what is a Christian? one that is anointed to be King, Priest, and Prophet; dost not thou know the things that belong to thy peace, or heavenly knowledge? Dost thou find that thou canst not war against thy Spiritual enemies? Dost thou find that thou canst not pray, or instruct others? and as for judging, thou sayest, God forbid that I should meddle with other mens matters, the secrets of God are not with thee; why, if it be thus with thee, thou mayest pretend Christianity, but thou hast none in thee; but on the contrary, if thou knowest how to discern things that differ, if thou knowest how to fight the Lords Battles, if thou knowest how to pray, and instruct others, and bring in others; if thou beest able to discern the mysteries of God, to subdue Satan, the World, and thine own heart; if it be thus with thee, thou art a Christian, and thou hast that Unction that will never forsake thee: if thou hast received no more then thou hast by thy Book, or thy education, thou wantest these infused gifts; there is never a Christian but he now knows better what Sin is, and what Grace is, then he did before; he is now able to see what he never saw before, he knows the Wrath of Christ, and the excellency of Gods favour; why if thy graces come from this inward anointing thou art a Christian, such a one whose praise is of God, and not of man.

Ʋse 1 Of trial to every Christian, whether he be a true Christian or no, for he is a Jew that that is one outwardly, Rom. 2.27.28. we would think our selves deeply wronged if any should deny us to be Christians; why what is a Christian? one that is annoynted to be King, Priest, and Prophet; dost not thou know the things that belong to thy peace, or heavenly knowledge? Dost thou finde that thou canst not warre against thy Spirituall enemies? Dost thou finde that thou canst not pray, or instruct others? and as for judging, thou sayest, God forbid that I should meddle with other mens matters, the secrets of God are not with thee; why, if it be thus with thee, thou maist pretend Christianity, but thou hast none in thee; but on the contrary, if thou knowest how to discern things that differ, if thou knowest how to fight the Lords Battels, if thou knowest how to pray, and instruct others, and bring in others; if thou beest able to discern the mysteries of God, to subdue Sathan, the World, and thine own heart; if it be thus with thee, thou art a Christian, and thou hast that Unction that will never forsake thee: if thou hast received no more then thou hast by thy Book, or thy education, thou wantest these infused gifts; there is never a Christian but he now knows better what Sin is, and what Grace is, then he did before; he is now able to see what he never saw before, he knows the Wrath of Christ, and the excellency of Gods favour; why if thy graces come from this inward annoynting thou art a Christian, such a one whose praise is of God, and not of man.

Use 2 Would you know where the Church is, every company saith, It is in me, the Papists say, it is in me, and the Separists, it is in me; the Protestants say, it is in neither of you, but in me; why where you have a Company endued with this holy Ointment, why there the Church is, and he that departs from it, is of Antichrist; so then, the question is, Where is this Spiritual Unction? alas, it is an hard thing for blind natural men to know, but yet as the Ambassador of Persia said, Quot Senators, tot reges, so where you see a company of Christians, Quot Christiani, tot reges, so many Kings, Priests, and Prophets, Psal. 45.16. the children of the New Testament shall be answerable to the Fathers of the Old, and shall be endued with suitable graces; they are Princes in what part of the World soever they are, Princes judging of things in difference; endued with a Princely spirit to overcome the World, and Satan, and their own Corruptions; they have a Priestly Office, to pray and instruct to sacrifice themselves, and their Families to God, &c. therefore if you find such a company, verily there is the Church of God; and let not the Separatists say, you have profane persons among you: We say, though they be amongst us, yet they are not of us; and therefore that hinders us not from being the Church: therefore whither should we go to seek the Church, but where this Unction is?

Ʋse 2 Would you know where the Church is, every company saith, It is in me, the Papists say, it is in me, and the Separists, it is in me; the Protestants say, it is in neither of you, but in me; why where you have a Company endued with this holy Oyntment, why there the Church is, and he that departs from it, is of Antichrist; so then, the question is, Where is this Spirituall Unction? alas, it is an hard thing for blinde natural men to know, but yet as the Ambassador of Persia said, Quot Senatores, tot reges, so where you see a company of Christians, Quot Christiani, tot reges, so many Kings, Priests, and Prophets, Psal. 45.16. the children of the New Testament shall be answerable to the Fathers of the Old, and shall be endued with suitable graces; they are Princes in what part of the World soever they are, Princes judging of things in difference; indued with a Princely spirit to overcome the World, and Sathan, and their own Corruptions; they have a Priestly Office, to pray and instruct to sacrifice themselves, and their Families to God, &c. therefore if you find such a company, verily there is the Church of God; and let not the Separatists say, you have prophane persons among you: We say, though they be amongst us, yet they are not of us; and therefore that hinders us not from being the Church: therefore whither should we go to seek the Church, but where this Unction is?

Use 3 For all you that have received this Unction, it is not for Kings and Princes to be digging in the earth, it is not for Priests and Prophets to be ignorant, and blind, and dumb. 1 Cor. 6.1. to 7. Paul is confident that the meanest Christian is a Judge. What a shame is it, for a Christian at every temptation to be carried Captive? What a shame is it, for Kings to soil and besmut themselves, for Saul to cast away his shield was a vile dishonour; so for Christians to be soiled, and carried away with every temptation, for you to cast away your shield, as if you had not been anointed is a great dishonour. ⟨p. 164⟩It becomes Christians to fight like Princes, and to be victorious, and to judge like Kings; so walk as Priests of the high God, know how to pray, how to instruct your Families, how to offer all your ways to God, all your Families, you are not to be only holy day Priests, but daily Priests.

Ʋse 3 For all you that have received this Unction, it is not for Kings and Princes to be digging in the earth, it is not for Priests and Prophets to be ignorant, and blinde, and dumbe. 1 Cor. 6.1. to 7. Paul is confident that the meanest Christian is a Judge. What a shame is it, for a Christian at every temptation to be carried Captive? What a shame is it, for Kings to soyl and besmut themselves, for Saul to cast away his shield was a vile dishonour; so for Christians to be soyled, and carried away with every temptation, for you to cast away your shield, as if you had not been annoynted is a great dishonour. ⟨p. 164⟩It becomes Christians to fight like Princes, and to be victorious, and to judge like Kings; so walk as Priests of the high God, know how to pray, how to instruct your Families, how to offer all your wayes to God, all your Families, you are not to be only holy day Priests, but daily Priests.

Use 4 It may teach every Christian that stands in need of healing or suppling your stiff spirits, you need balm and oil for healing the wounds of your souls, and suppling, and softening your stiff spirits, why here is an unction that will heal thy wounds, and soften thy heart; entreat God that he would shed abroad his spirit into thy heart, that he would heal thy spirit, soften thy heart, and cheer thy soul; look up to the holy one, he is able to pour floods of consolation on thee, and establish thy soul in peace; do we find our spirits hard, and stiff, and bound, our spirits very straight, and stand in need of a great deal of alacrity? why yet this spiritual unction will so enlarge thee, and supple thee, that thou shalt find thy self helped and quickened, that thou mayest do things not weakly, but with power and life; so if we find corruptions so strong, that we know not how to overmaster them, there is an unction from this holy one, able to strengthen us against them, entreat God therefore to power it down upon thy soul; so do you want power and life in Gods ordinances? why in any need look up to him.

Ʋse 4 It may teach every Christian that stands in need of healing or suppleing your stiff spirits, you need balme and oyle for healing the wounds of your souls, and suppleing, and softning your stiff spirits, why here is an unction that will heal thy wounds, and soften thy heart; intreat God that he would shed abroad his spirit into thy heart, that he would heale thy spirit, soften thy heart, and chear thy soule; look up to the holy one, he is able to powre floods of consolation on thee, and establish thy soul in peace; do wee find our spirits hard, and stiff, and bound, our spirits very straight, and stand in need of a great deal of alacrity? why yet this spirituall unction will so inlarge thee, and supple thee, that thou shalt find thy selfe helped and quickned, that thou mayest do things not weakly, but with power and life; so if we find corruptions so strong, that we know not how to overmaster them, there is an unction from this holy one, able to strengthen us against them, intreat God therefore to power it down upon thy soul; so doe you want power and life in Gods ordinances? why in any need look up to him.

Use 5 Here is a ground of much consolation that God is pleased to bestow such a mercy, such a blessing as this upon us, how are we bound to Christ, that is pleased to anoint us with the same ointment wherewith himself was anointed? it is a ground of much consolation; Christians are often called to great employments, which if they look on themselves, they see themselves altogether unfit for, such as Moses said, send by whom thou wilt send, but is not this unction able to make us Kings and Priests? we know where to find supply, and if God call us to more employments, that is our comfort, that we have an unction which is able to fit us for every work, and employment God shall call us to.

Ʋse 5 Here is a ground of much consolation that God is pleased to bestow such a mercy, such a blessing as this upon us, how are we bound to Christ, that is pleased to annoynt us with the same oyntment wherewith himselfe was anoynted? it is a ground of much consolation; Christians are often called to great imployments, which if they look on themselves, they see themselves altogether unfit for, such as Moses said, send by whom thou wilt send, but is not this unction able to make us Kings and Priests? we know where to find supply, and if God call us to more imployments, that is our comfort, that we have an unction which is able to fit us for every work, and imployment God shall call us to.

Use 6 Of exhortation to every Christian, not to rest contented in an empty name of Christianity, ••ll you get this spiritual unction; rest not in any known strength, but what you receive by this spirit, otherwise you shall find much want of help, Matth. 25.1. to 10. the wife Virgins had their oil continually ready and prepared, whensoever Christ came; but the foolish Virgins, some oil they had, some common gifts and graces, but they were spent, and it was too late to seek for oil when the Bridegroom came, so do not only hear the Word, but labour to find some oil dropped into your souls, that so in storms, you may find the life and comfort of the spirit.

Ʋse 6 Of exhortation to every Christian, not to rest contented in an empty name of Christianity, ••ll you get this spirituall unction; rest not in any known strength, but what you receive by this spirit, otherwise you shall find much want of help, Matth. 25.1. to 10. the wife Virgins had their oyle continually ready and prepared, whensoever Christ came; but the foolish Virgins, some oyle they had, some common gifts and graces, but they were spent, and it was too late to seek for oyle when the Bridegroome came, so do not only hear the Word, but labour to find some oyle dropt into your souls, that so in stormes, you may find the life and comfort of the spirit.

1 JOHN 2.20. But ye have an unction from the holy one, and ye know all things.

IN these words the Apostle prescribes a means to preserve them against seducements, and the first means is the unction they had received from the holy one, which is a comparison from the legal ointment; this spirit of Grace should be as an Antidote against all Antichrists.

IN these words the Apostle prescribes a means to preserve them against seducements, and the first means is the unction they had received from the holy one, which is a comparison from the legall oyntment; this spirit of Grace should be as an Antidote against all Antichrists.

Now we come to speak of the virtue of this unction.

Now we come to speak of the vertue of this unction.

Doct. The little Children of God, by virtue of the ointment of the spirit of Grace, they know all things.

Doct. The little Children of God, by vertue of the oyntment of the spirit of Grace, they know all things.